Bottlenecks removal from jewellery export policy demanded

LAHORE - The Regional Standing Committee on Gems & Jewellery FPCCI, in its maiden session held here on Tuesday, with its Chairman Muhammad Ahmad in the chair, adopted a resolution demanding the government to remove all bottlenecks from the export policy of gems and jewellery. The office-bearers of Gold & Gems Art Promotion Council (GGAPC-Pakistan), Lahore Division Sarafa & Jewellers Association and representatives of various jewellers associations hailing from different districts of Punjab also attended the meeting. Addressing on the occasion, Regional S/C on Gems & Jewellery FPCCI, Chairman said that some elements are taking benefit of existing export policy while a majority of jewellers was suffering. He called upon the government to evolve export policy on gems and jewellery at the earliest after consultation with the stakeholders. He suggested the government to form a ‘national gems and mineral commission’ comprising representatives from the government and gems & jewellery sector to tap the local resouces of precious and semi-precious gemstones. He also called upon the government to carry out survey of national reserves. Pakistani gems are rare in the world, he said and added that a countrywide campaign would soon be launched to draw attention of the government towards this sector which would help increase demand of Pakistani gems in international markets. Vice Chairman Gems Sector, Muhammad Zeeshan Ibrahim while expressing his views, said that Pakistan could repay all loans taken from various donor agencies including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) within one year, if the local resources of gemstones are exploited in real sense. Vice Chairman Rana Muhammad Asghar, Mukarram Ali, Munir Hussain, Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Shafiq ul Hassan Zahoor and others spoke on the occasion. Later, it was decided unanimously in the meeting to form gems and jewellery federation at SAARC level which would be useful in promoting gems and jewellery sector in the region. Various sub committees including a coordination committee were approved on the occasion. The paticipants of the meeting expressed a complete confidence on the leadership of Chairman Muhammad Ahmad and hoped that gems and jewellery sector make progress by leaps and bounds in days to come.